Andrew is an editor for WhatTyre, Tyrepress, and Tyres & Accessories magazine. He has more than a decade of experience in editing, writing, and journalism.
Pirelli has announced its compound allocations for Formula One’s visit to Monaco. The chosen tyres include a debut for the P Zero Purple ultrasoft. The sixth round of the 2016 F1 season will be held on 26-29 May on the street circuit in Montecarlo.
Dunlop describes fan interaction as key in its support of the MSA British Touring Car Championship and Dunlop, confirming an extended on-event package.
Fleet maintenance and breakdown specialist Tyrenet will provide its services to Airdrie-based TOM Vehicle Rental’s 11,000-plus fleet. Using CAM’s digital tablet-based solution e-jobsheet as part of its bespoke solution, Tyrenet will improve efficiency and control over TOM’s entire tyre function, helping to deliver cost-saving benefits.
Dunlop’s 2016 MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) tyre range has been developed to meet the championship’s two major requirements. First, the two specifications of dry tyre in soft and medium compounds need to handle nine different tracks (as well as an additional hard compound for Thruxton’s abrasive surface). And secondly, they need to handle the wide variety of temperatures across its ten rounds.
Firestone has launched its sponsorship of a stage for up-and-coming musicians at selected Barclaycard Arena events. The Firestone Stage allows acts to play inside the Birmingham venue before headliners take to the stage, and was officially launched on 21 March at Ellie Goulding’s Birmingham show. The stage offers musical talent from across the UK to play in front of up to 15,800 people on the main concourse. The stage will also host Firestone’s annual Battle of the Bands competition, where musicians compete to win personalised Marshall amplifiers, music equipment and an opportunity to perform on the stage in future months.
Rodcraft has launched a new series of mini impact wrenches designed to increase durability, power and user comfort in vehicle service applications. At 177 mm long, the RC2147 and RC2247 3/8’ and 1/2’ impact wrenches are supplied for use in access-restricted areas, such as transmission and engine compartments. They have 330Nm and 540Nm of reverse torque. They feature three power settings in forward and full power in reverse.
Avon Tyres has revamped its “landmark” Avon bridge at Castle Combe Circuit in Wiltshire. The brand is marking more than 60 years of its sponsorship deal with the circuit, which is only 11 miles from Avon’s base in Melksham; in fact, a recent renewal of its sponsorship will take the brand through to 75 years of association with one of the fastest tracks in the country.
Under the 2016 tyre regulations, Formula One teams have some control over the mix of the three compounds available to them at each weekend. Out of the 13 sets, Pirelli decides on two sets for the race, and provides one set of the softest available tyre exclusively for Q3. The other ten sets are chosen by the teams, and passed to Pirelli before a deadline ahead of each race weekend. The FIA has communicated to Pirelli each team’s tyre choices for the forthcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, displayed in the infographic below.
Pirelli and Formula One’s raft of new tyre regulations appeared to have increased the options open to drivers during the opening grand prix of 2016. Mercedes’ Nico Rosberg won the race in Melbourne, while eight of the 16 race finishers used all three available compounds following a red flag restart after 18 laps.
Hankook will supply runflat versions of its ultra-high performance and winter car tyres to BMW for original fitment on its new generation 7 Series. The luxury car will roll on the Ventus S1 evo2 in mixed 245/50R18 Y *RSC (Runflat Safety Component) (front) and 275/40 R19 Y*RSC (rear) sizes in summer, and the i*cept evo in size 245/50R 18 H *RSC for winter use. Both tyres were developed in the Hankook’s German-based European R&D Centre, and are supplied to BMW directly from Hankook’s European high-end factory in Hungary.
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Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has introduced a comprehensive range of accessories for Xlite and Xbrite+ forged aluminium and steel wheel ranges. The wheel distributor said the range focuses on aesthetics, safety and security. The list of products includes wheel nuts, checkpoints, centre rings, studs, pliers, cap covers and cleaning goods, among many others.
Marangoni Retreading Systems has announced a new partnership with Spanish retreading partner, Louzán SL. The Galicia-based company, which was formed in the 1940s, offers a range of services for fleets, including retreading, with ten sales outlets for extensive territorial coverage. Marangoni said the partnership reflects the “major changes” taking place in the retreading industry. While the future of the retread manufacturer’s Rovereto remains uncertain, Marangoni has moved to increase its global partnerships in various markets around the world. The company characterises its latest Spanish partnership as an “expansion” of its activities in the country.
Dunlop has stated its intention to continue supporting competitors progressing through the ranks of UK motorsport, as it prepares to enter its third decade as official tyre supplier and title sponsor of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship. One of the most enduring partnerships in motorsport, Dunlop says its link with the BTCC allows it to continue its support of grassroots racing. The manufacturer signed an agreement with TOCA until at least the end of 2021 at the end of the 2015 season.
Many younger buyers are viewing cars in a fundamentally different manner to their forebears in a way that could eventually lead to significant changes in the design and sale of cars, says Glass’s.
Generation Y and those younger are learning to drive later, driving less when they do learn and might not see a car as a key to personal freedom in the traditional sense.
Chesterfield-based motor factor, Autosupplies, has revealed its Employee of the Year, telesales team member, Bryan Barksby, with new clutch supplier, National Auto Parts, sponsoring the award. The motor factor is keen to reward its staff members for their hard work and efforts throughout the year, and it is very much aware of the significant impact they have upon the business.
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